Does your home have an enclosed porch where you can make a summer living room?

How about slipcovers in a more practical fabric with a summer-y pattern and new throw pillows, lighter colored accessories, etc?

Something you can do with your existing furniture is to put up winter throws, etc. and bring in some lighter (color and weight) fabrics for the warm weather. Swap out throws and pillows. If you have a rug in the room, considering changing it out or even removing for the warmer months. Let the sun in! Use live plants and fresh cut flowers in the room. Just changing accessories, etc. can lighten up the room.

Tib, I don't have an enclosed porch. I do have a front porch that I just bought two wicker rocking chairs for and I'm going to get an outdoor rug to add some color there. I have a large cedar deck on the rear of the house and we have talked about perhaps enclosing it but other decorating has pushed that to the back of the list.

Joanie, that is probably the direction to go in regards to slip covers. I'm not big on throw pillows but the three that I have are a leopard print and I can easily remove them.

Tina, I don't normally have throws in the room as I keep them in the closet because they are rarely used. I could buy pillows in a lighter fabric. I really like the idea of going rugless in the summer and yes to fresh flowers!

As one who has a "winter living room" and a three-season, enclosed porch, if it's in your budget, IMO that is a great way to go. Have sliding doors on the outer walls so that you can close it off to allow AC in there, if you have it and want it, from the house; screens for when you want fresh air. Cable outlet so you can have a TV in there; dining table if there is room. In the warm months, I just move the TV onto the porch and live out there. I love having both options. In the winter, the glass doors of the porch create incredible convection heat in the middle of the day, and I open the doors that go into the house, and use that convection heat to heat the house for a while.

If budget doesn't allow for a project that big, seems like twill slipcovers and maybe switch out the rug is a way to go.

I agree with new toss pillows maybe in a linen or floral print; fresh flowers or even a couple of house plants if you don't have any; maybe even change or simplify the window treatments? If you have heavy drapes, maybe replace them with sheers or neutral linen drapes for summer.

I have the same issue every year because our much-used living room is also dark and cozy! I do some of the above. I also put away the throw blankets, which my DD then digs out because she seems unable to watch TV without some kind of blanket even in July! I also have a faux fur ottoman that to me says "winter" so that's put in the attic for the season.

I am looking for summer pillows for my living room as we speak...and getting ready to roll up the area rug to be cleaned. Every time I do that, I think I might just store it for the summer and let my floor be naked...but it feels too odd to me to not have an area rug underfoot.

Summer is so short in Canada, that I never thought of summerizing the house. I really like the idea of different toss pillows for the spring and summer.

Tib, budget isn't really a problem. Our deck is probably 36' length wise and the width is wider at one end as the angle made the deck look nicer than just a straight run of cedar. I'm just not sure that I want to block that much light from the back of our home. I have French doors that open from the lr onto the deck and another set of French doors that open from the library onto the deck. We have 3.5 acres that is mostly wooded so we tend to not have a ton of light as it is. Once I am at home full time and have the time to put a plan together we may take the steps to enclose the deck. I will be spending a fair amount of time on the front porch but since it isn't screened in and we have bugs galore it isn't conducive to an enjoyable outside experience unless it's a breezy day.

SueB, I have custom swags that are totally dated and one of the items that we need to replace. I love the idea of simple linen panels and that would make it a bit more summery looking.

Another thing I do besides changing out pillows is to change out candle holders and other accessories into lighter, summer-y things such as wicker, painted or distressed white or whatever suits your decor. I also change out placemats and table runners to summer colors or prints and add fresh cut flowers from my garden or sprigs of herbs scattered around in bud vases for the scent. Just removing some of the things that speak of fall or seem heavy get stored for a while and can lighten up a room.

Holly-Kay, I love the idea of taking down heavier window treatments to replace with simpler panels----that way you can summer-Ize and update at the same time!

With respect to your mosquito problem, do try this product that is available from Amazon. It covers about 100 sq ft, has a pleasant scent and is safe for humans and pets. We have them on our screened porch, bedroom deck, pool deck and patio....no Mosquitos! It's very simple; you receive a five inch or so egg shaped ceramic container that is glazed only on the bottom---- the sides are unglazed pottery. Then you pour in the specified amount of deterrent liquid, also provided, which soaks into and up the sides of the egg. And that's it. Refresh the liquid every two weeks. It's a miracle----for now, until the insects develop a tolerance for it, and is almost ridiculously inexpensive considering the big clunky Co2 diffusers we have tried.

http://www.amazon.com/Skeeter-Screen-90600-Patio-Diffuser/dp/B00BEJP83A

I use accessories for these seasonal changes. From Memorial day to Labor day inside and out I have Americana. Bringing in perennial flowers that are presently blooming in my yard also helps.

That Skeeter Egg looks great. I know Bounce works really well to keep bugs away, but a hanging egg is much more attractive than dryer sheets all over the place. Sounds like they work on the same principle. When I go for walks in the woods, I stick a sheet of Bounce in my hat or bra strap or somewhere. Works like a charm.

Also consider a fan! It makes a huge different. I am mosquito catnip and keep them off of everyone else outside. I added a wet rated outdoor fan and I can work in peace. I will also try the Skeeter Egg! I spray the grass with Garlic oil too!

KSWL, Thanks for the link to the skeeter egg, it looks like a great product and will be a huge help at keeping those annoying critters at bay. A fan is also a great idea for the front porch. I am excited to get my chairs from Frontgate. I am so looking forward to some lazy mornings on the front porch.

I'm so glad that you all don't think I'm crazy for feeling my need to lighten it up in the summer. My DH thinks I'm bonkers because I love my living room from autumn through winter but start to get the heebie geebies with it in the spring.